Extensible bracelet



March 20, 1945. s, LEVINE EXTENSIBLE BRACELET Filed Aug. 4, 1942 INVENTOR SAMUH LEV/NE ATTO R N EY Patented Mar. 20, 1945 I PATENT OFFICE EXTENSIBLE BRACELET Samuel Levine, New York, N. Y. Application August 4, 1942, Serial No. 453,512

6 Claims.

This invention relates to bracelets of the extensible type and more particularly to bracelets comprising articulated links.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a linked structure which is neat, flat and trim in appearance, simple of structure, economical to manufacture, and of sturdy and long-lived construction.

Another object resides in the provision of novel spring means, arranged in a novel manner for maintaining the link contracted yet readily yieldhis to forces seeking to extendthem.

A further object resides in the simplification of the structure of each of the links comprisingthe bracelet whereby manufacturing costs are lowered.

A further object is to provide a bracelet in which all of the links are alike to obviate costly dies and to further reduce the cost of manufacture.

i Yet another object is to provide an extensible bracelet which may be used either side out and is, therefore reversible.

A still further object resides in the simplification of the hinge structure and the spring means employed.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention may be more clearly realized from the following specification descriptive of the invention as exemplified in the accompanying drawing and in which:

Fig." 1 is a fragmentary front view of bracelet linkage incorporating features of the invention.

Fig. 2' is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the links according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a spring employed in the invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modifled link.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring more specifically to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the bracelet comprises a plurality of identical links l arranged alternately with identical links H. In the usual manner these links l0 and II are each fitted with a shell or casing l2 of precious or plated metal.

According to the invention, each link is provided at one end with a hole l3 and at the other with an integrally formed tubular extension H. The links are so arranged that the extension of one link is disposed in the hole of the adjacent link, the extensions being peened over as at ii to maintain the assembly of the links as can be well understood. Y

' Each tubular extension, as herein contemplated, being hollow, is receptive of a coil spring it having extending arms l1 disposed in an opposite manner so that one engages on one side of one of the front links and the other engages one side of one of the rear links as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

m Each link ill or I I is provided at a medial portion with an abutment as the lug l8 against which the arms of adjacent springs engage so that tension on the springs is maintained.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the links and springs 5 are concealed by the shell covers l2, the springs being entirely concealed even when the bracelet is extended.

Fig. 6 shows one of the links in slightly modified form. the abutment It being struck out of the length of the link. By this manner of forming the lug I8 its height may be made as desired without materially weakening the link.

The above structure may be somewhat modified as shown in Fig. 7. In this structure, the

links I0 and H are connected asby rivets I9 at one end and hollow rivets 20 at the other. Only the hollow pivots are provided with springs IS, the arms of which are abutted against lugs I8 on the links.

Despit the omission of springs at one end of the links, the bracelet will maintain a collapsed condition until forced upon, as can be understood.

Heretofore it had been the general practice to have the ends of the springs bear against the inside'of the shell or casing. Thus, in order to wind up each spring to impart sufllcient tension for the work intended, it wasnecessary, when 40 assembling the links, first to engage the end of the spring against the inside wall of the top shell and then to rotate the shell at least a half turn before clamping the shell to its link.

As can be seen from the disclosure, this difficulty has been obviated by the structure disclosed herein. As has been indicated, the arms of the coil springs i6 abut against lugs I8 and do not bear against the sides of the shells. This adds to ease of assembly since the springs may be readily wound with a key.

From the foregoing it may be seen that the objects of the invention have been realized in the two forms ofthe invention disclosed. Variations, of course, are conceivable within the spirit at and scope of the invention as claimed. No limitation in the language of this disclosure is intended;

I claim:

l. A bracelet ot'the type described comprising a plurality of identical links, pivots for said links, at least one set of said pivots being hollow, an upstanding lug on each link intermediate the ends thereof, a coil spring in each of said hollow pivots, and extensions from said springs engaged against said lugs of adjacent links to maintain the bracelet contracted;

2. A bracelet of the type described comprising ,a plurality of links, pivots for said links, said pivots being hollow, an upstanding lug on each link intermediate the ends thereof, a coil spring in each of said hollow pivots, and extensions from said springs engaged against the lugs of adjacent links to maintain the bracelet contracted.

3. A bracelet of the type described comprising a plurality of links, pivots for said links, each pivot comprising a hollow integral lateral extension on each link engaged in a hole in an adjacent link, an upstanding lug 'on each link, a coil spring in each extension, and arms on said springs engaged against the lugs of adjacent links to maintain the bracelet contracted.

4. In a bracelet of the type described, a pinrality of identical links, a hinge for said links comprising an integral hollow lateral extension on one link engaged in a hole in the next adjacent link, 9. lug on each link, a coil spring disposed in said hollow extension with its ends extending out of the extension and engaged with the lugs on adjacent links to maintain them contracted.

5. In a bracelet of the type described. a plurality of identical links, a hinge for said links comprising an integral hollow lateral extension on each link adjacent one end thereof and engaged in a hole in the other end 01 an adjacent link, a coil spring disposed in said hollow extension, an arm on each side of said spring, and an extending lug on each link engaged by one 0! said arms to maintain the links contracted.

6. In an extensible spring-actuated self-retracting bracelet of the type wherein a plurality of links are interconnected and have a spring for relatively moving each adjacent pair of said links, a plurality of links, each link having a hole adjacent one end, a hollow lateral extension adjacent the other end, and a spring abutment therebetween to receive the end of the spring,

the extension of each link extending through the hole in the next adjacent link.

SAMUEL LEVINE. 

